September 7

Can You Make a Website Without a Host? | Top Website Builders that Don’t Need Hosting

0  comments

So, you have made a decision to create a website? That’s the first and most important step, but it’s just the beginning of the process. It sets off a number of decisions you need to make, chief among these being your options related to building the website and finding a suitable web host. But can you make a website without a web host?

The Short Answer: No!

Of course, you can always make a website without hosting it, but if your goal is to have your site published on the Internet, it must be hosted on a web server. So no, you cannot make a website without a host.

Alternatives to Traditional Hosting

The conventional approach to hosting, is subscribing to a suitable plan with a web host. There are alternatives to this though.

1. Running Your Website on Your Own PC

You could build your website and host it on your own computer or server.

  Pros

  • No subscription to a hosting plan;
  • You don’t share the server’s resources with third-party websites;
  • No limitations on what you can do with the server, including the content or files you can upload.

Cons

  • Full burden of maintenance. This is unlike traditional hosting, where much of the maintenance work is handled by the web host.
  • Technical expertise. You need to understand the essentials of creating a website and running a web server. If not, you may be forced to hire someone else to do it on your behalf.
  • It’s not completely free. There are costs you must incur, such as domain registration and SSL certificate, but also a powerful enough machine.

2. Using Website Builders

Many web hosts will offer a website builder as an extra service when you sign up for any of their hosting plans. There are, however, website builders that have hosting as a bonus benefit.

  Pros

  • Create a market-ready and professional website in a matter of minutes or hours;
  • Wide range of features and templates;
  • Easy to use. No website development or design skills needed;
  • Less expensive than hiring a web designer;
  • Free hosting option using the website builder’s own domain.

Cons

  • Not free. Even for website builders that claim to have a free plan, you will often need to foot other essential costs, such as domain registration, if you want the site on your own domain;
  • Limitations on the number of pages per website, especially for entry-level and intermediate website builder plans;
  • Personalization and transferability restrictions;
  • Free website builder plans are not always ad-free.

Top Website Builders that Don’t Require Hosting to Work

With the basics of website builders out of the way, here is a look at the best website builders that do not require subscribing to a separate hosting service for them to work.

1. Wix

In operation for over 15 years and host to over 200 million users, Wix takes first place in our top eight for its unusually large set of 900 customizable templates. It offers an intuitive drag-and-drop editor that makes it easy to create and customize SEO-ready websites with built-in marketing features and advanced functions. 

The site is operational from the get-go and is integrated with meta tags and sitemaps. To get your website operational fast, you can tap into Wix Artificial Design Intelligence, which builds a website quickly after you answer some basic set of questions. All plans include an SSL certificate, free Wix hosting, free logo maker, and, for the paid plans, free domain registration (first 12 months). If you opt for the free plan, your site is hosted on a Wix subdomain.

Customers get 24/7 support through help desk tickets. You can also search its expansive knowledge base for answers to the more common questions. Paid plans have a 14-day money-back guarantee. Pay for your preferred website builder package by credit card.

Official Website

Product depth

  • Drag-and-drop editor;
  • 900 customizable templates;
  • Built-in SEO and marketing features such as meta tags and sitemaps;
  • Wix Artificial Design Intelligence for questions-led rapid website creation;
  • Free domain registration on paid plans (first 12 months);
  • Free SSL certificate;
  • Free logo maker;
  • Free hosting on a Wix subdomain.

Free plan

  • Wix has a free plan. Its key features include Wix subdomain, 500 MB storage, 500 MB bandwidth.

Premium plan

  • Connect Domain ($4.50 monthly) – 500 MB storage, custom domain, 1 GB bandwidth;
  • Combo ($8.50 monthly) – 3 GB storage, custom domain, 2 GB bandwidth, ad-free;
  • Unlimited ($12.50 monthly) – 10 GB storage, custom domain, unmetered bandwidth, ad-free;
  • VIP ($24.50 monthly) – 20 GB storage, custom domain, unmetered bandwidth, ad-free;
  • Business Basic ($17 monthly) – Custom domain, unmetered bandwidth, 20 GB storage, ad-free, CRM;
  • Business Unlimited ($25 monthly) – Custom domain, unmetered bandwidth, 35 GB storage, ad-free, CRM;
  • Business VIP ($35 monthly) – Custom domain, unmetered bandwidth, 50 GB storage, ad-free, CRM.

Number of websites hosted

  • One website per plan subscription.

2. Squarespace

Squarespace places second for being a website builder that doubles up as a content management system (CMS). A convenient drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to build responsive sites from customizable, diverse templates. 

For even faster design, you can make specific types of web pages, such as About or Contact Us, that are formed from customizable pre-built layouts. Whether you are looking to make a blog, portfolio website, or eCommerce store, Squarespace aims to help you do so without spending more than you need to.

All plans include unmetered bandwidth, free domain registration (first 12 months), and a free SSL certificate. If you opt for the free plan, your site will be hosted on a Squarespace subdomain.

Customers get 24/7 support through live chat and email. You can also get answers to more common problems from the comprehensive knowledge base, live webinars, and user discussion board. Instead of a money-back guarantee, Squarespace has a 14-day free trial.

Product depth

  • Free domain registration (first 12 months);
  • Website builder cum CMS;
  • Drag-and-drop editor;
  • Diverse templates;
  • Pre-built layouts for common page types;
  • Free SSL certificate;
  • Unmetered bandwidth;
  • Free hosting on a Squarespace subdomain.

Free plan

  • Squarespace has a free website builder plan.

Premium plan

  • Personal ($16 monthly);
  • Business ($23 monthly) – Integrated eCommerce;
  • Basic Commerce ($27 monthly) – Integrated eCommerce, customer accounts;
  • Advanced Commerce ($49 monthly) – Integrated eCommerce, customer accounts, abandoned cart recovery, commerce APIs.

Number of websites hosted

  • One website per plan subscription.

3. SITE123

We ranked SITE123 website builder third for its website builder packages that feature dozens of templates and free domain registration (first 12 months). It comes with a website builder wizard that contains dozens of ready-made, customizable templates, and layouts. The end result is an SEO-friendly, responsive website. If you opt for the free plan, your site will be hosted on a SITE123 subdomain.

Customers have access to 24/7 support through live chat. You can search the extensive knowledge base for answers to the most common questions. Pay for your preferred plan by credit card and PayPal. SITE123 has a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Official Website

Product depth

  • Dozens of templates;
  • Free domain registration (first 12 months);
  • Free hosting on a SITE123 subdomain.

Free plan

  • SITE123 has a free website builder plan. Its key features include a SITE123 subdomain, 250 MB storage, 250 MB bandwidth.

Premium plan

  • Basic ($12 monthly) – Custom domain, 10 GB storage, 5 GB bandwidth, ad-free, commerce features;
  • Advanced ($20 monthly) – Custom domain, 30 GB storage, 15 GB bandwidth, ad-free, 2 email addresses;
  • Professional ($28 monthly) – Custom domain, 90 GB storage, 45 GB bandwidth, ad-free, 5 email addresses, eCommerce store;
  • Gold ($36 monthly) – Custom domain, 270 GB storage, 135 GB bandwidth, ad-free, 25 email addresses, eCommerce store;
  • Platinum ($65.81 monthly) – Custom domain, 1000 GB storage, 1000 GB bandwidth, ad-free, 25 email addresses, eCommerce store.

Number of websites hosted

  • One website per plan subscription.

4. uKit

We ranked uKit fourth for its packages that feature a drag-and-drop builder and more than 200 templates. All plans also include automatic backups, unmetered bandwidth, free SSL certificate, responsive design, unlimited domains, and unlimited pages.

Customers get 24/7 support through a contact form. This is complemented by an extensive knowledge base that addresses all of the most common questions around the use of uKit. Pay for your preferred plan by credit card and PayPal. All plans (except the Pro plan) have a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Official Website

Product depth

  • Drag-and-drop builder;
  • Automatic backups;
  • Unmetered bandwidth;
  • Free SSL certificate;
  • Responsive design;
  • Unlimited domains;
  • Unlimited pages.

Free plan

  • uKit does not have a free website builder plan.

Premium plan

  • Minimum ($9 monthly) – Custom domain;
  • Basic ($11 monthly) – Custom domain, Google Analytics goals;
  • eCommerce ($13 monthly) – Custom domain, Google Analytics goals, eCommerce;
  • Pro ($15 monthly) – Custom domain, Google Analytics goals, eCommerce, custom code.

Number of websites hosted

  • Unlimited domains.

5. Weebly

At some point, Weebly was the first service that came to mind when the average person thought of a website builder. We ranked it fifth for the customizable, SEO-ready websites that include lead capture and contact forms. All plans also include a free SSL certificate. If you opt for the free plan, your site will be hosted on a Weebly subdomain. Weebly has been around since 2006, so they do have a successful and long track record behind them.

Customers have 24/7 support via email and live chat. You can get answers to common questions through a large knowledge base and a user discussion board. Pay for your preferred package by credit card and PayPal.

Official Website

Product depth

  • Lead capture and contact forms;
  • Built-in SEO;
  • Free SSL certificate;
  • Free hosting on a Weebly subdomain.

Free plan

  • Weebly has a free website builder plan. Its key features include a Weebly subdomain and 500 MB of storage.

Premium plan

  • Connect ($5 monthly) – Custom domain, 500 MB storage;
  • Pro ($12 monthly) – Custom domain, unmetered storage, ad free, free domain registration (first 12 months), $100 Google ad credits;
  • Business ($25 monthly) – Custom domain, unmetered storage, ad free, free domain registration (first year), $100 Google ad credits.

Number of websites hosted

  • One website per plan subscription.

6. Zyro

A service by leading web host Hostinger, we rank Zyro sixth best for crafting plans that create responsive business and personal websites fast. Build your website in under an hour while incorporating elements that grow conversions and search engine visibility. If you opt for the business plan, you get access to an eCommerce platform as well.

All plans include unmetered bandwidth, unmetered storage, free SSL certificate, free email address (first 3 months), free domain registration (first 12 months), free logo maker and free integration with WhatsApp/Messenger live chat.

Customers get 24/7 support through email, live chat, and web form. You can search the large knowledge base for answers to common website-building issues. Pay for your preferred plan by credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and cryptocurrency. Zyro provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Official Website

Product depth

  • Drag and drop builder that features an easy-to-use grid and customizable templates;
  • SEO-optimized and fast-loading pages;
  • Unmetered bandwidth;
  • Unmetered storage;
  • Free SSL certificate;
  • Free email address (first 3 months);
  • Free domain registration (first 12 months);
  • Free logo maker;
  • Free integration with WhatsApp/Messenger live chat.

Free plan

  • Zyro does not have a free plan.

Premium plan

  • Website plan ($11.99 monthly) – One website’
  • Business plan ($14.99 monthly) – One website, eCommerce store with up to 500 products.

Number of websites hosted

  • One website per plan subscription.

7. Web.com

Web.com places seventh for featuring over 150 templates, more than a dozen content blocks, and an emphasis on responsive design. Content blocks are customizable pre-built templates that make building a web page quick and easy. 

With each Web.com plan, you have free access to millions of stock images. They also include free domain registration (first 12 months), a free SSL certificate, and daily automatic backups.

For people who are still trying to find their footing online, Web.com is one of the few website builders and web hosts that provides a one-hour free consultation with a seasoned web designer. In case you are looking to create a business site, Web.com files business LLC formation for free (state fees may still apply).

Customers have access to 24/7 support through phone, email, and live chat. You can search for answers to common questions on Web.com’s user-friendly knowledge base. Pay for your preferred plan by credit card and PayPal.

Official Website

Product depth

  • Drag-and-drop content blocks;
  • More than 150 templates;
  • Free domain registration (first 12 months);
  • Free SSL certificate;
  • Daily automatic backups;
  • Free access to millions of stock images;
  • One-hour free consultation with a web designer;
  • Free filing of business LLC formation.

Free plan

  • Web.com has no free website builder plan.

Premium plan

  • Website Essentials ($14.99 monthly) – One website;
  • Business Essentials ($19.99 monthly) – One website, SEO tools, logo builder;
  • Ecommerce Essentials ($32.99 monthly) – One website, SEO tools, logo builder, appointment scheduling, ecommerce features, CRM;
  • Ecommerce Premium ($49.99 monthly) – One website, logo builder, SEO tools, appointment scheduling, ecommerce features, CRM.

Number of websites hosted

  • One website per plan subscription.

8. Jimdo

Jimdo rounds up our top eight website builders for offering plans that feature responsive design and professional online stores. Not unexpected, given the company has, over the years, earned a reputation for helping micro, small, and medium-sized businesses extract optimal value from their Internet presence.

All plans include free domain registration for the first month or year, depending on the tenure of the plan you have signed up for. Plans also come with a free SSL certificate, a free logo maker, and a library of free images.

Customers get 24/7 support via help desk tickets. A sizable knowledge base provides answers and guides on the more common concerns customers would have. Pay for your preferred plan by credit card. Jimdo offers a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Official Website

Product depth

  • Free domain registration (for the first month or year, depending on tenure of the plan you have signed up for);
  • Free SSL certificate;
  • Free logo maker;
  • Library of free images;
  • Free hosting on a Jimdo subdomain.

Free plan

  • Jimdo has a free website builder plan. Its key features include 5 websites, 500 MB storage, 2GB bandwidth, and a Jimdo subdomain.

Premium plan

  • Start ($12 monthly) – 10 websites, 5 GB storage, 10 GB bandwidth, custom domain, ad-free;
  • Grow ($19 monthly) – 50 websites, 15 GB storage, 20 GB bandwidth, custom domain, ad-free, traffic statistics;
  • Unlimited ($49 monthly) – Unlimited websites, unmetered storage, unmetered bandwidth, custom domain, ad-free, traffic statistics.

Number of websites hosted

  • From 5 websites for the Start plan to unlimited websites for the Unlimited plan.

Are these solutions viable

Each of the eight website builders covered here has proven to be a cut above their industry peers. So if you are looking for a viable website builder with hosting options, it is hard to go wrong with any one of these. Still, before settling on one provider, evaluate their features in the context of your own requirements.


Tags


You may also like

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

Get in touch

Name*
Email*
Message
0 of 350
>